Aulie has stopped hitting and he was crunching people to start the season. Since he stopped being physical his game has dropped off a cliff. That's what happens when you have to think too much out on the ice.

Aulie has stopped hitting and he was crunching people to start the season. Since he stopped being physical his game has dropped off a cliff. That's what happens when you have to think too much out on the ice.

It happened right after he was benched, when Lee was beyond terrible yet getting more ice time while Aulie got healthy scratched.

Aulie is still leading the defense in hits. Perhaps he hasn't been standing out because he started hot defensively and has not been able to maintain that level? That could be from coaching him to play differently or maybe he's just not as good as we were hoping, as least not yet? Whatever the reason, Aulie is just one guy and one guy is not a trend or movement.

Hedman's physical play has actually gotten better this season, although no doubt not where many think it should be. Gudas seems to have aggression in his blood. He's the litmus test to me. If he loses his physical edge and starts twirling his stick like a baton, then something's up and we'll need an emergency intervention.